Top Hotels for Wedding Guests in St. Augustine
Finding the Perfect Place to Stay
As one of the most popular tourism destinations in America, St. Augustine has no shortage of hotels. From resorts with their origins in the turn of the century to international brands that opened their doors within the last year, it can feel overwhelming when faced with the variety of options. We’ve used our local knowledge to put together a list of the top hotels in St. Augustine. Read on to find out our favorites!
Castillo Real, Ascend Hotel Collection
If your event is in the summer, you’re going to want to be near the beach. Located on historic A1A and mere steps (200 to be exact—we’ve counted) from St. Augustine Beach, there are few hotels that can boast a better location for beach bums than Castillo Real. Plush guest rooms, filled with authentic décor that evoke the local Spanish history, provide views of the Atlantic Ocean and are located just a short drive from the city proper and an even shorter drive to Anastasia State Park.
The Collector Luxury Inn & Gardens
Our personal favorite and an excellent choice for those looking for a more unique, boutique experience is The Collector Luxury Inn & Gardens. This hotel is actually a curated collection of nine-historic houses, but don’t be fooled by the date on the landmark in the garden where the Emancipation Proclamation was read in 1863, The Collector is filled with modern amenities and was even named 1 of the 10 Best New Hotels in America by USA Today.
Whether you decide to room at the Collector or not, make sure to visit The Well, a hidden gem of a watering hole cozied inside St. Augustine’s first two-car garage onsite.
Casa Monica Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection
The number one priority for many wedding guests when choosing a hotel is proximity. The Casa Monica is—bar none—the most centrally located resort in St. Augustine. Not only is the Casa Monica a thirty second walk to popular venues like The Treasury, The White Room and the Lightner Museum, they also host weddings on property. It’s hard to beat toasting the new couple and then taking the elevator back to your room!
Part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, guests at Casa Monica can enjoy access to their world-class spa and guest passes to Serenata Beach Club, a quick jaunt up the road in Vilano Beach.
Hilton Historic Bayfront & Embassy Suites by Hilton
Break out your loyalty cards, because the Hilton Hotel brand has multiple locations in historic St. Augustine. As mentioned before, summer means the beach here in St. Augustine, so if you’re traveling during warm weather months we recommend the Embassy Suites. Located directly on the beach, Embassy Suites offers water sports and family-friendly activities, plus cabanas and a bar for poolside sipping.
If you’re visiting during wintertime, it’s a good idea to stay close to downtown and Hilton St. Augustine Historic Bayfront is just that. Many of the rooms have views of Matanzas Bay and all of the rooms are within the Historic District. This hotel earns bonus points for those looking to take in St. Augustine’s famous Nights of Lights from November to February.
Bayfront Marin
Staying on the waterfront, Bayfront Marin House boasts numerous distinctions. Not only is Bayfront Marin House one of the Top 25 Hotels for Romance in the United States, it is also the #1 Waterfront Hotel in St. Augustine (according to TripAdvisor). The elegant guest rooms are reminiscent of the most exclusive B&B’s with private entrances amongst the lush landscaping of the property.
Bayfront Inn
Just like the Hilton Historic Bayfront and Bayfront Marin House, Bayfront Inn is part of the Historic District dating back to 1572. The centerpiece of the Bayfront Inn is the Rodriguez House, an original First Spanish Period building built by Royal Decree of the King of Spain (don’t worry—it’s been updated since then). All of these waterfront hotels are within walking distance to popular wedding venues in the Old City.
The Renaissance
The city may be nearly 500 years old, but the newest hotel in St. Augustine literally opened last week. We’ve been keeping an eye on the construction of this modern luxury hotel over the past year. The exterior has a flair for the Victorian and the whimsy, but the guest rooms are filled with premium bedding and flat-screen TVs.
The San Marco Ballroom, a 4,000 plus square foot space with a capacity of nearly 450 people, is sure to be a new favorite venue for wedding receptions of all sizes near the Old City core.
Southern Oaks Inn
Southern Oaks Inn may be a bit farther off the map than some of the other hotels on this list, but don't let that turn you away. A complimentary shuttle zips guests downtown in minutes and gives you time to digest the homemade country breakfast offered daily.
Most importantly, Southern Oaks Inn is pet-friendly and features a fenced-in dog park, making it a must consider for anyone traveling with their four-legged friends.
Edgewater Inn
Many people visiting St. Augustine overlook the Edgewater Inn, which is unfortunate because it offers one of the most unique views of Matanzas Bay. Many of the popular hotels (including several of the ones mentioned above) are located downtown which means they don’t have a view of downtown. Edgewater Inn looks back across the water framing the entire city like a beautiful postcard. This view doesn’t come at the cost of inconvenience, either: all downtown venues are short walk away across the Bridge of Lions.
Airbnb
We would be remiss without mentioning the plethora of Air BnB hosts that call St. Augustine home. From quaint cottages in the Ancient City to beachfront mansions in St. Augustine Beach and Vilano Beach, no matter how particular you are you will find something that feels like home away from home.
We've Figured Out Where to Stay, What's Next?
Weddings can be stressful, but they don’t need to be! First Sight Films is here for all of your Wedding Videography needs with over a decade of experience in St. Augustine. We also have recommendations for other excellent local venders. Contact us for professional, worry-free storytelling and insight on the St. Augustine area.